A Game of Changes
- March 22, 2016
- Bit Outside the Box
Chance and destiny find themselves intermeshed in A Game of Changes. Unravel and decipher the mechanics of these worlds, and journey through the 64 unique puzzles that draw inspiration and teachings from the I Ching [Book of Changes], one of the oldest classic books in human history. Its wisdom originates from philosophical and scientific observations of the laws which rule existence.…
Reviews
- The game provides a relaxing experience with calming music that can help players unwind.
- It offers an interesting and creative core concept that challenges players' patience and encourages exploration.
- The game is visually appealing with a zen-like atmosphere, making it enjoyable for those interested in eastern philosophies.
- The game suffers from technical issues such as freezing and crashing, which can hinder gameplay.
- There is a lack of clear instructions and tutorials, making it confusing for players unfamiliar with the source material.
- Customization options for controls and graphics are limited, which can frustrate players and affect accessibility.
- music6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its calming and zen-like qualities, enhancing the overall experience with lovely soundtracks that complement the graphics and gameplay. However, users express frustration over the lack of proper audio controls, particularly the inability to turn off the background music from the main menu, which detracts from the enjoyment.
“I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
“A game of changes has such lovely music and endearing graphics, and the gameplay is so intuitive and simple, I think that rage is pretty much out of the question.”
“It's worth mentioning that the game has a very nice zen-like soundtrack that fits very well.”
“Bewilderingly, the game doesn't include proper audio controls, so you can't turn off the annoying background music; you'll need to alt+tab out and stop the music using the Windows sound mixer.”
“There are volume controls, available only after starting a level, only for music, but they are completely ignored when going back to the main menu.”
“Main menu music helps me sleep.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally considered low quality, with no options for resolution or customization, limiting players' ability to enhance their visual experience. However, some users appreciate the charming and endearing art style, which complements the game's intuitive gameplay and pleasant music.
“A game of changes has such lovely music and endearing graphics, and the gameplay is so intuitive and simple; I think that rage is pretty much out of the question.”
“There's no option to change the resolution for the game or customize the graphics settings.”
“There's no way for gamers to try to improve the low-quality graphics.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as exploitative, with reviewers labeling it as a cash grab that relies on copying existing game templates and assets rather than original content. This approach is seen as a form of shovelware, raising concerns about the integrity and value of the games being offered.
“These guys do nothing but copy premade game templates and game tutorials, fill out a few things, stamp out basic levels using the construction kit templates, slap on an asset-flipped set of sprites/assets, and dump them on Steam and into daily indie game bundles as cash grabs.”
“Trying to get paid for someone else's game templates and assets... at best, this is shovelware; at worst, it's a scam or cash grab.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The gameplay is noted to be confusing for those unfamiliar with the source material, and the lack of a tutorial exacerbates this issue. Players may require external explanations or guidance to understand the basic mechanics effectively.
“The gameplay is incredibly engaging, with a perfect balance of challenge and reward that keeps you coming back for more.”
“The mechanics are intuitive and allow for a smooth learning curve, making it easy for new players to jump in and enjoy the experience.”
“The level design is creative and encourages exploration, providing a rich and immersive gameplay experience.”
“If you're unfamiliar with the source material, the gameplay is confusing, and there's no tutorial.”
“The controls feel clunky and unresponsive, making it frustrating to navigate through the game.”
“The pacing is off, with long stretches of tedious gameplay that make it hard to stay engaged.”
- story1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story conveys a powerful message about resilience and the unpredictability of life, emphasizing that perseverance in the face of adversity can lead to unexpected and rewarding outcomes.
“The moral of the story is that you never know what life has in store for you. If I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users note that the game offers higher replayability compared to traditional 3D platform games, suggesting that its design and mechanics encourage players to return for multiple playthroughs.
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant issue, with users reporting frequent freezes and crashes that hinder progress, often preventing them from advancing beyond early stages.
“This review is only negative because the game freezes and crashes so much for me that I haven't been able to make it past the fourth stage.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a "hands off" approach to instruction, which complements its overall pace and enhances the immersive experience.
“The game feels very 'hands off' in terms of explicit instruction, which I think fits the atmosphere and the pace of the game quite well.”